Let’s end the unfair tax on women

With their latest opposition day motion, the NDP is urging the Conservatives to end their unfair tax on women and remove the GST/ federal portion of the HST from feminine hygiene products.

“This gender-based discrimination costs women more than $36-million every year,” said NDP MP Irene Mathyssen (London—Fanshawe). “It makes no sense whatsoever that women have to pay tax on tampons while non-essential items like wedding cakes and cocktail cherries are exempt.”

Under the Excise Tax Act, the federal government collects millions of dollars annually in taxes on feminine hygiene products. Items considered essential to daily life are exempt, while so-called luxury items are taxed.

“Feminine hygiene products are not a luxury for women and girls,” said NDP Status of Women critic Mylène Freeman (Argenteuil—Papineau—Mirabel). “We’re calling on the Conservatives to do the right thing and remove the tax.”

“Over 72,000 Canadians acknowledge that a sales tax on these products is a hardship for Canadian households and especially discriminates against menstruators, who as a group face disproportionate financial burdens,” said Jill Piebiak from Canadian Menstruators.

The motion is as follows:

“That, in the opinion of the House, the government should remove the GST from feminine hygiene products.”

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